Meizu M8 - iPhone Clone gets Chinese Patent

Meizu M8 - iPhone Clone gets Chinese Patent. Meizu M8 MiniOne is a touch-controlled, multimedia and internet-enabled smartphone. It is popularly regarded as a Chinese iPhone clone due to its similarity to the features, UI, and physical design of the Apple iPhone. There was a time when patents were issued to devices and ideas that were novel and contributed to innovation. Well, at least that's how it used to work in the US. However, with the recent USPTO patent describing a "smartphone" having been awarded to a patent-holding firm, it's clear that we're no longer in an age where patents require true innovation.

So, with the US patent system a seeming joke, it's not too surprising to see that the Chinese patent office has published Meizu's M8 design-patent. Meizu apparently filed the patent back in February of last year, but the patent office just recently published the application. Of course, with the iPhone's expected arrival in China, it's unclear whether the patent application will be approved. Then again, seeing as how this patent application was filed in the land of no trademark/copyright consideration, we almost expect Meizu to be granted this patent.

About Meizu M8,
The M8 runs a version of Microsoft Windows CE 6 modified to match the the iPhone's GUI. It was created after the success of Meizu's 2 MP3/MP4 players - the M6 Mini Player and the M3 Music Card. The phone has been delayed several times due to not meeting Chinese cellular phone guidelines. Already it has drawn attention in the US, mostly comparison to the iPhone. There will be two versions of the phone - an entry-level version (no camera) and a standard version. A camera add-on can be bought in China for the entry-level version a few weeks after the release of the M8. Meizu has stated that a similar product with no phone capabilities, called the Meizu M7, will be released after the M8, intended to be an iPod touch clone.

Meizu M8 Specifications :
( as stated by the Meizu Me fansite (not final) )
+ Dimensions: 107mm x 59mm x 11.8mm (H x W x T)
+ Processor: ARM11 667MHz+
+ Display: 3.4", 16600K, 720x480 pixel resolution, Touchscreen TFT LCD
+ PC Interface: USB 2.0 Ultra Fast Data Transfer
+ Flash Memory: 4, 8 or 16GB of built-in basic Memory (16GB to come later)
+ Operating System: Windows CE for Meizu M8 (Based on Windows CE6.0)
+ Video Playback: AVI, MPEG-2, RM(VB), MPEG-4/H.263/H.264 at 30FPS
+ Camera: 0.3+ MPx camera on front, 3.0 MPx camera on back. Supports auto-focus, no flash (Front camera to come later)
+ Battery: 1400 mAh Li-ion
+ Support For: GSM + SCDMA Networks (3G & 3.5G to come later)
+ Bluetooth 2.0
+ Wi-Fi
+ TV-out
+ Line-out
+ Video Conferencing
+ USB Host / OTG
+ GPS (Add-on)
+ Additional Features, Light sensor allowing the phone to automatically adjust screen brightness in accordance to the lightning in the environment.
+ Tilt and movement recognizing sensor that will allow it to auto-adjust screen orientation in accordance to tilting. It can also recognize movements (ie. shaking), a feature which can be used for games.

The most recent pricing information for the standard M8 version 4GB, 8GB and 16GB models are 2000, 2380 and 2980 CNY respectively. That is approximately 275, 325, and 410 $USD. It is unknown for now the price of the entry-level version (forums posted from 190-300 usd).

More information is available from MeizuMe.com